Welcome to the EGGhead Forum - a great place to visit and packed with tips and EGGspert advice! You can also join the conversation and get more information and amazing kamado recipes by following Big Green Egg to Experience our World of Flavor™ at:
Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Pinterest  |  Youtube  |  Vimeo
Share your photos by tagging us and using the hashtag #BigGreenEgg.

Want to see how the EGG is made? Click to Watch

Bad rubber smell over 450F

Options
myc5
myc5 Posts: 16
in EggHead Forum
I've done maybe 10 or so cooks on my kamado. It's fairly new. I get a really nasty smell when it's over 450F, even without any food on it. I'm thinking it's the gasket. Either the glue that was used for it or the felt gasket itself. Might be something else, I don't really know.

Since mine isn't a BGE but a chinese knockoff (Auplex) I'm wondering if the BGE ever has a rubber smell when the BGE is new.
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • SmokingPiney
    SmokingPiney Posts: 2,282
    Options
    No funky smells from my new BGE.
    South Jersey Pine Barrens. XL BGE , Assassin 24, Weber Kettle, CharBroil gasser, AMNPS 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Grillin_beers
    Grillin_beers Posts: 1,345
    Options
    Sometimes you get what you pay for man.... Any pics of the grill?  I wonder if a Rutland would fit on it? 
    1 large BGE, Spartanburg SC

    My dog thinks I'm a grilling god. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sardonicus
    Sardonicus Posts: 1,700
    edited July 2015
    Options

    Are your sneakers missing?


    "Too bad all the people who know how to run the country are busy driving cabs and barbecuing."      - George Burns

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SpartanPride
    SpartanPride Posts: 161
    Options
    I haven't experienced that nor heard it being an issue on the BGE
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 25,898
    Options
    Grillin_beers said:
    Sometimes you get what you pay for man.... Any pics of the grill?  I wonder if a Rutland would fit on it? 
    I'm sure, but what do I know? LOL
    Re-gasketing America one yard at a time.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • GregW
    GregW Posts: 2,677
    edited July 2015
    Options
    myc5 said:
    I've done maybe 10 or so cooks on my kamado. It's fairly new. I get a really nasty smell when it's over 450F, even without any food on it. I'm thinking it's the gasket. Either the glue that was used for it or the felt gasket itself. Might be something else, I don't really know.

    Since mine isn't a BGE but a chinese knockoff (Auplex) I'm wondering if the BGE ever has a rubber smell when the BGE is new.
    I bought a different brand of cooker about 20 yrs ago. I could have bought a BGE but I chose another brand because I didn't know any better.
    It really looked good to start with, a nice red paint flecked with black specks. Man it was sharp. Little did I know the paint couldn't stand the high temp cooking. The paint soon failed and exposed the porous low quality ceramic. The ceramic absorbed rain water which turned to steam during high temp cooks. This soon caused the Kamado to crack into many large pieces.

    The point is, not all ill advised purchases are motivated by the desire to save money, sometimes as in my case I simply didn't know any better.

    Yes, I think a Rutland gasket should solve your problem. The gasket should be the only thing that could cause a rubber smell. Assuming the Kamado is glazed rather than being painted.

    Good luck with it, I'm sure you will be able to overcome the odor issue. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • caliking
    caliking Posts: 18,731
    edited July 2015
    Options
    Have you checked the lump in the firebox to see if  you  have something in there that gives off the smell once the lump is hot?

    #1 LBGE December 2012 • #2 SBGE February  2013 • #3 Mini May 2013
    A happy BGE family in Houston, TX.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DMW
    DMW Posts: 13,832
    Options
    caliking said:
    Have you checked the lump in the firebox to see if  you  have something in there that gives off the smell once the lump is hot?
    And what kind of lump are you using? I hear @henapple likes Royal Oak.
    They/Them
    Morgantown, PA

    XL BGE - S BGE - KJ Jr - HB Legacy - BS Pizza Oven - 30" Firepit - King Kooker Fryer -  PR72T - WSJ - BS 17" Griddle - XXL BGE  - BS SS36" Griddle - 2 Burner Gasser - Pellet Smoker
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DutchMiniMax
    DutchMiniMax Posts: 129
    Options
    Any pictures?
    BGE MiniMax Rocks!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,102
    Options
    You're probably burning some organic crap from the manufacturing process.  Bad smell gives you bad smelling food.  I would do a clean burn and try to burn the smell off.
    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 32,776
    Options
    after ten cooks im thinking its not the cooker. are you burning cowboy lump, that lump will do that. could also be operater error in not giving it enough time to burn cleanly, get it up to 400 and stabilize temps, check the smell in 30 minutes from there
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DieselkW
    DieselkW Posts: 894
    Options
    450f on the dome is a couple thousand degrees in the lump, so it's likely not something in the lump.

    Take it apart, remove the fire ring and bowl and grate. Look between the bowl and the interior of the bottom for something black and sticky left behind. Give it a good clean with a shop vac. Check the ceramics for something stuck to the outside of the fire bowl.

    If you can't find anything, I would bring it up to 500 or so, and then open it up and see if you can find the source - it should be smoldering somewhere.


    Indianapolis, IN

    BBQ is a celebration of culture in America. It is the closest thing we have to the wines and cheeses of Europe. 

    Drive a few hundred miles in any direction, and the experience changes dramatically. 



    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Nsdexter
    Nsdexter Posts: 195
    Options
    DieselkW said:
    450f on the dome is a couple thousand degrees in the lump, so it's likely not something in the lump.

    Take it apart, remove the fire ring and bowl and grate. Look between the bowl and the interior of the bottom for something black and sticky left behind. Give it a good clean with a shop vac. Check the ceramics for something stuck to the outside of the fire bowl.

    If you can't find anything, I would bring it up to 500 or so, and then open it up and see if you can find the source - it should be smoldering somewhere.


    Open it slowly, burp it first.
    HFX NS
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • aukerns08
    aukerns08 Posts: 253
    Options
    A lot of brands have thought it necessary to put plastic and/or rubber gaskets around some of the openings, especially near the thermometer.  I think people that bought the Vision Kub a while back were seeing that on their grills.  Maybe there's a piece of rubber gasket around an opening on yours that's melting as you cook.
    Large and Mini BGE

    Hamilton, VA
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • B&BKnox
    B&BKnox Posts: 283
    Options
    aukerns08 said check both thermometer openings and lower vent as well as top cap.
    Be Well

    Knoxville TN
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hotch
    Hotch Posts: 3,564
    Options
    Sardonicus said:

    Are your sneakers missing?



    That's funny!! lmao
    Large BGE, MiniMAX BGE, 2 Mini BGE's, R&V Fryer, 36" Blackstone Griddle, Camp Chef Dual Burner 40K BTU Stove
    BGE Chiminea
    Prosper, TX
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DieselkW
    DieselkW Posts: 894
    Options
    They sell a 13" kamado grill for $150?

    I love how it says: (from China) "top qualiry"  Seriously, it says "qualiry"

    Indianapolis, IN

    BBQ is a celebration of culture in America. It is the closest thing we have to the wines and cheeses of Europe. 

    Drive a few hundred miles in any direction, and the experience changes dramatically. 



    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BOWHUNR
    BOWHUNR Posts: 1,487
    Options
    caliking said:
    Have you checked the lump in the firebox to see if  you  have something in there that gives off the smell once the lump is hot?
    My first thought exactly.  The first time I cooked on my large #2 I noticed a hint of a funky smell a while into the cook.  I was baking a potato dish on it and they had that same hint of smell and slight taste to them.  The next day I removed all of the lump and found what appeared to be part of a plastic milk jug melted to the fire box.  Just FYI it took two clean burns to get that smell out of it.

    Mike

    I'm ashamed what I did for a Klondike Bar!!

    Omaha, NE
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • HeavyG
    HeavyG Posts: 10,350
    Options
    DieselkW said:

    I love how it says: (from China) "top qualiry"  Seriously, it says "qualiry"
    I'll bet you a dollar tho that their English is still better than your Mandarin.  :)
    “Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.” ― Philip K. Diçk




    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pescadorzih
    pescadorzih Posts: 926
    Options
    Did the op make sure all the packing was removed? As in plastic or foam packing.
    SE PA
    XL, Lg, Mini max and OKJ offset
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • myc5
    myc5 Posts: 16
    Options
    Thanks for all the ideas. 

    Sorry no pics, but it's available at auplex-dot-com

    Yes I removed all the packaging material.  I've removed the firebox and it's clean inside. I use a Kick Ash basket.

    I use lump and not cowboy, but some Canadian Maple brand. I forget the name, but it's light brown bag with dark blue circle and red maple leaf. Good stuff, I've used it for years in my weber kettle. I use the same bag lump in the weber kettle without any smell.

    Today I did another cook and at the end, I put my nose to the various parts of the Kamado. With the cooker closed and at 400F (earlier it was at 600F), the smell is coming from the gasket - where the dome meets the base. Also coming from the bottom vent edge. I opened the cooker and don't smell the rubber odour from the lump.

    I'm going to look at replacing the gasket. 

    I also don't like the bottom vent. It doesn't close all the way very good. It leaves maybe 1/8" opening exposed when closed and the slider is rather stiff, especially when I jam it closed. And no screen. It appears to be the same dimensions and screw hole sizes as a BGE, although I didn't measure to compare yet.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • danv23
    danv23 Posts: 953
    Options
    um, ok. http://www.auplex.com/Grill/products.asp?id=378


    The Dude: This is a very complicated case, Maude. You know, a lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-you's. And, uh, lotta strands to keep in my head, man. Lotta strands in old Duder's head. Luckily I'm adhering to a pretty strict, uh, drug regimen to keep my mind, you know, limber.

    Walter Sobchak: Nihilists! *uck me. I mean, say what you want about the tenets of National Socialism, Dude, at least it's an ethos. 

    Cumming, GA

    Eggs - XL, L, Small

    Gasser - Weber Summit 6 Burner

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • danv23
    danv23 Posts: 953
    Options
    By the way, I'm not knocking you @myc5. I could fill up my 3700 sq ft house with all the things I bought that I wish I hadn't because I did't research or wanted to save some money. Good folks here will help you through.  Get a rutland from @rrp. It's a no brainer and god knows what kind of "glue" they used over there in China.

    The Dude: This is a very complicated case, Maude. You know, a lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-you's. And, uh, lotta strands to keep in my head, man. Lotta strands in old Duder's head. Luckily I'm adhering to a pretty strict, uh, drug regimen to keep my mind, you know, limber.

    Walter Sobchak: Nihilists! *uck me. I mean, say what you want about the tenets of National Socialism, Dude, at least it's an ethos. 

    Cumming, GA

    Eggs - XL, L, Small

    Gasser - Weber Summit 6 Burner

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories